Plasma electrolytic treatment of Ti6Al4V alloy in electrolytes with boron-containing compounds

Abstract

Abstract Tests of aqueous solutions were carried out in order to verify their suitability for boriding and borocarburizing of titanium alloy. The state of the modified layer was examined using an electron microscope. The regimens effect on the layer properties hardness and roughness was clarified. The electrolyte compositions used provided the hardening of zone with a thickness of 0.2 mm and a maximum microhardness of up to 965 HV after boriding and layer of 0.35 μm with 880 HV after borocarburizing. The layers were established to demonstrate the best properties at the processing temperatures from 900 °C to 1000 °C for 5 min. A regime has been determined that provides a diminishment of roughness Ra from 1.01 μm to 0.55 μm.